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06/27/2023 12:02 PMWhen it comes to being part of a program that goes from flying underneath other teams’ radars to seeing the mountain top of team accomplishments, Kelley Vanacore knows all too well what it takes to get to the summit and she is looking to utilize those experiences to repeat that feat on the CIAC volleyball circuit.
Kelley, who additionally played softball and basketball in high school, was part of the Yellowjackets’ lone state crown to date as a member of the 2004 squad that captured the Class L State Tournament title following a 3-1 win over Masuk in the final as a junior. Kelley, a SCC All-Oronoque Division Team selection as a senior for the 2005 campaign, was also part of an historical win-as it marked the first time in East Haven High School athletics that a girls’ club laid claim to a state championship.
Now, Kelley, still a town resident, makes a comeback this fall to where it all began, as she will be along the sidelines as the new volunteer coach for the volleyball squad at East Haven.
“The girls I played volleyball with, we grew up together and played the same three sports together. We built phenomenal camaraderie and played well together to make history. We were a young and scrappy team here, but we had so much heart,” says Kelley, who was a middle hitter for the Yellowjackets during her playing tenure. “Sports have always been huge in my life. It taught me dedication, hard work, and that heart matters more than skill. Our team was nobody when I started, but with the combo of chemistry and energy, we just had that fire in us. I learned to never give up and that anything is possible, and so it is important to teach the girls those same things.”
While this is Kelley’s first foray into the coaching club, she details that when it comes to carving out a niche on a squad and earning a starting slot, anything desired can be attained with an all-out onslaught of hustle and sticktoitiveness.
“I have not played the game in a high school capacity in a long time, so I do have a lot to learn with how the game is played today,” says Kelley. “What I can teach is something beyond playing a position and skills. It is about learning a mindset with staying focused and positive. When you do those things, you can do anything. I am there to mentor and guide the kids.”
East Haven volleyball Head Coach Craig Brown has seen first-hand from the sidelines what Kelley can bring to the table, helping take the Yellowjackets to the top in her playing days. So now bringing her upon that same sideline, he is eager and optimistic when it comes to viewing what she can contribute as a coach.
“We are very excited to bring in another alumni to be a part of the coaching staff,” says Brown. “Kelley is not only a former member of the team, but a part of the state championship-winning team. We are looking for her to bring that winning pedigree with her with a strong commitment to team and player development.”
Kelley conveys that she revels in the behind-the-scenes matters that go towards the final product that are not viewed by the outsider’s eye, while showing the new crop of Yellowjackets what it takes to climb to the top.
“Winning is always fun, but I actually enjoy the process of getting to the win. The fans do not see the hours of grueling practices that go into the games. I love the process, the journey, and the commitment,” Kelley says. “The coaches I had here taught me so much and were great mentors. They did not let us give up. Going from being a no-name team to a state title, I know what the girls are going through.”
As a program alum and being part of an alumni game being hosted at EHHS on Sept. 25 at
5 p.m, Kelley is additionally eagerly anticipating bolstering the girls’ spirits while making an indelible impact on their lives in any way, shape, or form possible.
“I am so competitive, so I would love to see the girls bring home another state title; nothing is out of the realm of possibility,” says Kelley. “Even if it changes one person’s life, it is all worth it to me to make an impact on their life.”